A mountain to climb..

[winny]

Having been diagnosd with COPD 4 years ago and finally managing to quit smoking 18 months ago I still struggle with day to day activities! I still get regular chest infections and have gained a lot of weight..Going from a fit 10st I had got to 14.7lbs..Very depressing when the scales just kept going up the less I was able to do!!However with more sensible eating and joining weight watchers I have managed to lose 11lbs over the last 5 weeks! Its step in th right direction the extra weight make me tired and lethargic on top of COPD.....I know I can never get back to the fully fit woman I used to be..I was a hillwalker and my occupation was a Landsape Gardener so was always on the go...There are days now when getting up th stairs is like climbing a mountain..Does it hve to be so though?I was in Amsterdam for a few days in Oct and was able to walk a considerable distance..The fact that Amsterdam is very flat obviously helped also the dry sunny climate..In an ideal world I would be living there,alas I dont!!........ So I know I can walk these distances with regular stops..How do I continue with this regime? With a cold Scottish winter ahead Im looking for suggestions on what I can do to get myself moving and not have to spend the winter getting cabin fever and depression.Pulmonary rehab is problematic due to a shoulder injury.. I would be so grateful for any advice!! ..Im only 50 years old surely theres much I can do to improve my quality of life?

[katieoxo60]

Hi Winny, it is difficult to face the winter, mobility restriction doesn't help and I guess Scotland may be hilly by you. Thats the againsts forget them you have reduced your weight which is brilliant keep it up but don't worry if it slips a little in the winter, need to eat more warming foods for energy. Keep up the walking regime its one of the best and easiest forms of exercise for COPD, as your weight goes down you may find you can walk a little more, I personally find the COPD varies and some days you can walk father and better. I am not sure why a shoulder injury makes pulmonary rehab a problem as no one told me when I injured my shoulder, however I was refused rehab at that time. A thought maybe a local gym might have some lighter exercise programmes or local council, they usually have weekly walking keep fit at most local councils. So stick with your chosen regime and maybe something else will come along thjat you can masnage with your COPD Good luck with the weight lose

[winny in reply to katieoxo60]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and offering some soud advice..I will contact my local gym next week to see what programms they offer for pople with breathing problems..Thanks for your support

[Hidden]

Another idea is the purchase of a treadmill so that you can do lots of walking outdoors when the weather is good and indoors when it is not.

[maureenjjj]

Hello Winney - I am 64 next month, the one thing that keeps me in shape in the winter is a short drive to the mall here in the states. My sister and i roam the malll during the week when its not so crowded. We walk for approx. 3o minuets and then sit for an hour and half in the food court enjoying a cup of coffee and conversarion. My sister and I take turns making lunch because it would be too expensive to eat there as we are there 4 to 5 days a week. After lunch another 30 minuets of walking and home we go. My sister also has copd like myself so we both understand when one has to stop and rest every so often. On days when one of us could'nt make it due to illness, I or my sister would still go to get the walk in but would bring our kindle to read while enjoying lunch. Walking and having some place to look forward to does alot to keep ones spirits up. Maureen usa

[Hidden in reply to maureenjjj]

What a great idea, exercise and window shopping at the same time. Sounds like good fun Maureen.

[Hidden]

I also use shopping centres and big stores for my exercise if the weather is ok, you don't have to buy anything. I won't go to a gym as I find getting sob very embarrassing.

[winny]

Thank you all for your gems of advice..I will be taking hee of quite a few of them.

[timber]

Interesting your comparison to a mountain to climb ,try your local indoor climbing wall,it can be as strenous as you wish,the staff should be able to show you how you can rest and get your breathe back whenever you need to.

Woody